Stock markets turned weak today
as the benchmark Sensex fell by almost 51 points in early
trade as investors adopted a cautious approach in view of
August derivatives expiry and release of key macroeconomic
data later in the day.
Besides, mixed Asian cues weighed on the sentiment.
The 30-share index fell by 50.58 points, or 0.15 per
cent, to quote at 31,595.88. It had gained 258.07 points in
the previous session.
BSE indices led by FMCG, power, teck, banking and metal
declined.
The NSE Nifty fell by 14.25 points, or 0.14 per cent, at
9,870.15.
Squaring-up of positions by participants -- today being
the last trading session of August series contracts in the
derivatives segment -- and caution ahead of the GDP data for
the June quarter, to be released later in the day,
influenced sentiment here.
Major losers were NTPC, Sun Pharma, Infosys, Dr Reddy's,
Bharti Airtel, HDFC Ltd, Coal India, HDFC Bank, Kotak Bank,
ICICI Bank, Hind Unilever, Tata Steel, ITC Ltd, M&M and TCS,
falling by up to 1.49 per cent.
Among other Asian markets, Hong Kong's Hang Seng shed
0.60 per cent while Shanghai Composite Index was down 0.51 per
cent in early trade. Japan's Nikkei, however, was up 0.70 per
cent.
The US Dow Jones Industrial Average ended 0.12 per cent
higher yesterday.
(This article has not been edited by Zeebiz editorial team and is auto-generated from an agency feed.)
10:19 AM IST